Buildings

Sustainable buildings are the core elements of smart cities and climate friendly building stocks and the major driver for upcoming market developments. At the moment some 40% of total energy use and carbon emissions are related to buildings while, at the same time, a large potential for improvement has been identified. This requires for all stakeholders to act. Ecofys can advise builders, manufacturers, owners and planners on how to keep ahead of this new reality with their strategy and products, and policy makers on how to implement strategies to sustain and support this long term change.

Ecofys' group of building experts has state-of-the art know how on buildings, appliances in buildings, building stocks and related policies as well as tools to analyse and optimise them. We are able to find and forge the perfect balance between technology, economic returns and regulations that is needed to make the step from ambition to reality.

BUILDING POLICY

The built environment offers significant room for energy efficiency improvements, energy savings, renewable energies and other sustainable resources while offering related benefits like increased employment from realisation activities, affordability of housing and quality of life. This makes policies in the built environment a multi-purpose tool to achieve various important political targets. On the other hand, the variety of actors in the building market and  differing aims and viewpoints makes it difficult to steer the sector. We help policy makers (authorities, NGOs, associations, etc.) to evaluate and develop workable and effective policies that unlock the potentials of this crucial sector.

BUILDING MARKETS

Changing market conditions are perceived a threat to companies (manufacturers, energy suppliers etc.) that are not on the ball and ready to move forward. At the same time business opportunities open up for companies that are quick to recognise changes in the market. Connecting our knowledge on policies, international markets and technologies, we develop, together with our clients, successful strategies for their business within the building sector.

BUILDING CERTIFICATION

Ecofys has  broad experience with green building certification systems, such as LEED and BREEAM. Moreover Ecofys is one of the world's few Passive House certifiers.

ZERO-ENERGY BUILDINGS

Zero-energy buildings are designed in such a way that no fossil fuels are required to provide users with the comfort they need. Ecofys has built up in-depth experience with the entire design process of these future-proof buildings, which involves a total cost of ownership approach. The Ecofys' Cologne office resides in a self-designed Passive-house, reducing energy consumption by 90%.